ANIMALS BENEFIT FROM PARCHED MARCH

Parched March, an annual event lasting the month of March, launched at “The Winery” in Crown Street, Surry Hills. Parched March raises awareness and money for animal charities. This year the nominated charity is the Animal Welfare League NSW, a very deserving recipient.

The philosophy behind Parched March is good times for a good cause and the month long event raises funds by encouraging participants, who sign up individually or as a team, to enjoy drinking special cocktails in Sydney’s bars responsibly. Proceeds from these cocktails go to the charity.

In 2010, Sun-Herald party columnist Amy Cooper became perplexed by the number of invitations for the launches of ‘dry’ charity months crossing her desk. While applauding the causes supported by Febfast, Dry July and Ocsober, bar-loving Amy worried that three whole months in the calendar was a lot of time for people to be absent from their favourite watering holes.

Amy decided to redress the balance with a charity month devoted to encouraging responsible drinkers back out on the town. The aim: to celebrate the talent, creativity and originality that characterise Sydney’s bar scene, while raising money for Amy’s favourite cause: animal welfare.

As well as several dogs who were guests of honour, plus a man dressed in a dog suit, the surprise visitor during the evening was Tribute Artist Elias. Dressed in his white jewel encrusted jump suit, which is a replica of the famous suit worn by “The King” , Elias performed several songs for the appreciative audience, making you feel Elvis was definitely in the building.

Elias will be one of the 14 Elvis’ joining “The King” Tribute Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean Line’s Rhapsody of the Seas, sailing from Sydney on 11 November 2012 for three nights. Last year, a similar cruise was a sellout. Sandra T.